REBELLION RACING’S R-ONE #13 TO START FROM FOURTH ROW OF THE 2014 FIA WEC 6 HOURS OF COTA
After Friday’s qualifying session for the 2014 FIA WEC 6 Hours of COTA race, Andrea Belicchi, Dominik Kraihamer and Fabio Leimer will start the race from P7 on the grid having achieved an average lap time of 1’54’665 and a best lap of 1’54’173 secured by Fabio Leimer. In so doing, the Rebellion R-One Toyota #13 takes the pole position in the LMP1-L class.
The sister Rebellion R-One Toyota #12 car driven by Nicolas Prost, Nick Heidfeld and Mathias Beche will start from the back of the grid. After a fast first run of two laps secured by Mathias Beche with a best lap of 1’53”269, Nick Heidfeld stopped the car at turn 11 on his second flying lap due to a fly-by-wire throttle issue. Unable to continue, car #12 was towed off the track and the German driver was unable to complete his second qualifying lap.
The starting positions for the #12 and #13 cars will promise an exciting race for both of REBELLION Racing’s R-One cars.
The race will start on Saturday 20th September at 5 pm local time (11 pm GMT).
Fabio Leimer – Rebellion R-One Toyota #13 :
“ It wasn’t easy at the begining of the qualifying session as a part of the track was wet. We didn’t make any mistakes, Dodo and I. Starting from the fourth row on the grid is quite positive. Tomorrow I would like to finish the race after the dnf we had at Spa and Le Mans. I really want car #13 to receive the checkered flag and first LMP1-L would be great.”
Dominik Kraihamer – Rebellion R-One Toyota #13 :
“ I’m pleased with my laps. We are still learning about the car we were a bit lucky in the qualifying session but we have worked well with the team to improve the car. It’s good to be racing again after such a long summer break. I hope we will have a good race and a nice battle with car #12.”
Mathias Beche – Rebellion R-One Toyota #12 :
“What happened is a shame. We’ll have to try to understand what really happened to fix the throttle issue but it’s better to face it qualifying than during the race. I’m really satisfied with the work the team accomplished during such a short practice session. We improved the car in an incredible way. The car is really fun to drive on this track. We just lacked one lap to achieve a good qualifying.”
Nick Heidfeld – Rebellion R-One Toyota #12 :
“ The track was better and easy to drive except in some places that remained wet and were we had to reduce the speed a bit. I started my first lap safely as I knew that Mathias had done a good job. During my second flying lap, the car didn’t react, the throttle stopped working. I stopped at the side of the track and tried to reset it, but nothing happened. As I didn’t complete a second lap, we’ll have to start the race at the back of the grid. It’s a pity but at least, I’m sure that we will have a fun race tomorrow. We improved the car a lot through the sessions and we know that the track will be even better for the race. We lack competition but we’ll try to catch the #13. It’s not easy because they are quite quick, but I think tomorrow we’ll have a good race. ”
Bart Hayden – REBELLION Racing Team manager :
“We are pleased to have achieved some good laptimes with both cars during qualifying and for car #13 starting from the fourth row of the grid is realistically where we thought we would be. Due to the regulations governing the qualifying procedure, since we didn’t complete enough laps with two drivers in car #12, they will have to start at the back of the grid. That’s a pity, but in a 6 hour race there is time to make up the positions. We are looking forward to the race and are aiming to see both cars complete the 6 hours. »
